T. Mayer Collection
Colt Model 1900 Sight Safety Serial Number 1051, Navy
Contract - The Colt Model 1900 is the first Browning
designed automatic pistol model licensed to and manufactured
by Colt Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company. This pistol
was manufactured in 1900, the first year of production and
is the earliest variation of the Model 1900 with rear plunge
milled serrations, high polish blue, fire blued small parts
and smooth walnut grips. This pistol was the first serial
number of the second shipment to the Navy and was shipped on
October 19, 1900.
Early Model 1900 pistols were fitted with smooth walnut
grips. Grip screws, hammer screw, pins, trigger, slide
lock, magazine release and forward frame plug had a
turquoise blued finish. The Sight Safety locked in upward
position, this functions as the rear sight. The sight
safety and hammer were color case hardened. Magazines were
full nickel plated and marked "PAT'D SEPT. 9. 1884"
The Navy Contract pistol variation was shipped with the
sight safety intact, smooth walnut grips, plunge milled
slide serrations and is identified by the triangle and
trident markings and the location of the serial number and
Navy number on the frame. This serial number range for this
contract included guns in the serial number range from 1001
to 1250 and they were shipped from October 12, 1900 to
November 22, 1900.
MODEL
1900 NAVY CONTRACT |
Date Shipped |
Serial Number |
Quantity |
October 12, 1900 |
1001-1050 |
1-50 |
October 19, 1900 |
1051-1100 |
51-100 |
October 22, 1900 |
1101-1150 |
101-150 |
October 29, 1900 |
1151-1200 |
151-200 |
November 22, 1900 |
1201-1250 |
201-250 |
Colt Model 1900 Right Side -
"AUTOMATIC COLT" over "CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS". Slide
featured plunge milled serrations.
Colt Model 1900 left side slide markings - "BROWNING'S
PATENT" over "PAT'D APRIL 29, 1897" and COLT'S PATENT FIRE
ARMS MFG CO." over "HARTFORD CONN U.S.A." Number "USN
51" is on the left side of the frame above the trigger.
Note fire blued trigger. Triangle mark stamped on the upper
left flat of the trigger guard.
Unlike the other 1900 models, the Navy contract has the
serial number above the trigger on the left side of the
frame. The Navy Trident is also stamped on the upper right
flat of the trigger guard.
Magazines were full nickel plated and marked "PAT'D SEPT. 9.
1884" |